A prosecution Witness, Uche Obilor in the ongoing trial of a former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others, yesterday revealed how he collected several hundred millions of Naira from the agency without executing any contract.
Obilor claimed that the contract was awarded by the agency to his three companies – Seabulk Offshore Limited; Southern Offshore Limited; and Ace Prosthesis Limited – with the money fully paid.
He also stated that ever before the contract could be executed the agency cancelled it and instructed that the money should be transferred to personal accounts of some individuals and companies.
Obilor, who is the Managing Director of three companies, Ace Prosthesis Limited, Seabulk Offshore Limited, and Southern Offshore Limited, told the court that N905, 8million was paid into the companies’ two bank accounts even though he did not tender any proposal for contracts to the agency.
Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, Obilor told Justice Buba how his companies were approached by NIMASA to execute a contract involving the implementation of International Ship and Port Facility Security for the maritime agency.
He claimed that sums of N437m, N402m and N66,800,000 were paid into the bank accounts of Seabulk Offshore Limited, Southern Offshore Limited and Ace Prosthesis Limited respectively for the contract.
Akpobolokemi was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos alongside three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a 22-count charge filed by EFCC, they were alleged to have converted N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Obilor, who revealed how he got the money, was led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).
On how his companies got the deal, Obilor said he was approached by Captain Agaba (second defendant) who said his companies have been awarded a contract to assist NIMASA meet the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code for 2014.
He also told the court that shortly after the money was paid, he was told by the second defendant to stall execution on the contract.
He also disclosed that the second defendant later directed him to transfer the money into different accounts until N54 million was left in the accounts.
Under cross examination, by Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) lawyer to Patrick Akpobolokemi (first defendant) Obilor told the court that he held several meetings with the second defendant adding that the remaining N54million left in the account had been transferred to the coffers of the Federal Government.
When asked by lawyer to the second defendant Mr. E G Onyeka whether he (Obilor) was aware that two of his staff issued and signed several invoices to NIMASA, he said ‘’I am on top of the whole exercise and I am unaware that they signed any document’’.
Justice Buba has adjourned further hearing of the matter till February 5, 16 and 19 respectively.